Finger chopper

[21William]

Saw this on a website, probably the most dangerous thing I’ve seen someone do on a lathe.

Home made Cole jaw extensions.



Extending using plywood panels would have been safer. There are some right idiots out there.

 

[silver]

Wow, wished I had thought of that before I brought the big set from Axi..

 

[21William]

Yeah, I think the trick is to buy the right size jaws in the first place!

 

[Bill Mooney]

With the bowl in place & a piece of inner tube stretched around the outside of the bobbins it would at least be safer to use as the inner tube would then deflect his fingers instead of injuring him.

 

[Penpal]

Strange my first reaction was this would be so much safer cause it could hold pressure whereas Cole Jaws can be real iffy. I agree with the inner tube idea from say a motor bike tube an essential for both the Cole Jaws and these.

Peter.

 

[Terry Q]

Since your only using it finish the bottoms you should be able to stay clear of danger.

 

[wm460]

Look like it is nicely made.

 

[Phil Dart]

Yep, I'm sorry to have to say, I like it too. As has been said, it will have a bowl occupying all of the space between the buttons by the time its spinning, and generally it's the base of the bowl receiving attention when mounted on cole jaws. I agree its scary to look at, but in reality, it's not a bad solution to a problem IMHO. Probably a good deal less dangerous in use than turning a winged bowl or a natural edged bowl in fact.

 

[21William]

If one of those fingers came off and hit you in the face I doubt you’d be so keen. There’s no substitute to doing things right, especially where safety is concerned.

 

[APH]

If one of those fingers came off

As they're bolted on with two bolts, that doesn't seem much of a risk to me.

 

[Phil Dart]

If one of those fingers came off and hit you in the face I doubt you’d be so keen. There’s no substitute to doing things right, especially where safety is concerned.

I couldn't agree more William, but the same applies to cole jaws that haven't been modified - in fact, two bolts are better than one - as has been pointed out. I know it looks a scary thing, and of course I concede that it clearly is not going to be as safe as an unmodified version, but if you have ever turned and sanded a natural edged winged bowl, compared to that it is a walk in the park.

 

[Dalboy]

I certainly would have no problem using it. As stated you tend to use it for removing a foot off of a piece so should not be in the firing line of them. And rightly as Phil said no more dangerous than turning a natural edged bowl. You can also have blanks that split apart because of unseen faults does that mean you will not put one on the lathe just in case.
Yes there are risks but all you as a turner can do is see where they are and take the appropriate action to avoid injury.

 

[21William]

As a point of interest the picture of the Finger Chopper is no longer on view so I guess the owner has though better of it.

 

[turnaround360]

Vacuum is safer I'd say. Ps not been on for a while so hi again all.

 

[Bill Mooney]

As I mentioned earlier if a strip of inner tube was stretched around all the buttons then the fingers couldn’t fly off anyway. In 58 years I’ve made countless custom jigs & modifications with no problems. The one thing I always do is use common sense & treat everything with respect.

 

[Penpal]

The turning speed is crucial in foot turning,using methods such as this fine piece of engineering. I did witness a mistaken accident when a similar device was turned on at 3000 rpm then an attempt to stop ,the unwinding of the thread resulted in a broken sternam, considerable pain . So great care and sensibility as in all lathe work is important. I do so insist on doing these sorts of things on my own in the workshop, I do notice my wife being more interested where I will be these days when I am a frequent faller.

A mate of mine used to turn using a ships lathe sitting on the lathe bed turning huge bowls without incident, he being short of stature.

Peter.

 

[Lons]

There's no more chance of the studs coming out of one of those fingers than there is the same happening on any scroll chuck as each jaw on those is held in the same way IMO

I'd have no problem using that while of course being as vigilant as I would be with any woodworking tool or accessory. No more dangerous than kick back on a table saw or spindle moulder and as said the hazzard of natural edge wood or those with faults which are liable to split off and fly. Common sense and concentration while working is the key.

 

[wm460]

Vacuum is safer I'd say. Ps not been on for a while so hi again all.

Welcome back Frankie.:waver::waver:

 

[Winemaker]

Looks fine to me, i would used it